i know it will doom our economy for years to come, but let's just go over the [ bleep ] cliff. fine. let's just go. just leave the negotiating tables and send us over the cliff. because you know why? at least for a few seconds, it will feel like we're flying. >> welcome back to "morning joe." it is the top of the hour. look at that shot of new york city. >> beautiful. >> how beautiful. >> beautiful. glad we're here. >> good morning, everyone. >> all right. you want to be happy? take a look at washington. >> look at that shot, man. >> how can you not be happy? >> i just said, you showed a picture of gotham and the clouds, and i'm glad we're here. >> look at this incredible cast of characters. steve rattner still with us along with mike barnicle in new york. joining us on set, republican senator from oklahoma, senator tom coburn who served in the bipartisan simpson-bowles commission two years ago. and the moderator of "meet the press," david gregory, not bad. not bad at all. >> where are we, tom? where are we, buddy? >> i have no idea. >> that's not good because you make sense. >